“To all things there is an end.” A pretty basic conceit. One that BLACKEST NIGHT pretty much focused on. It was the driving force of our main baddie, Neckron. He wanted to return everything back to the black void, before there was light. And now, while Nekron has been defeated, Black Hand lives and the Blackest Night is over... I am sad. Very sad, in fact, because this event that started off so simply with the slogan “The Dead Shall Rise” is over. For most, having undertaken one of these massive comic crossovers, the end could not have come fast enough. But not me. I’m gonna miss getting the latest script from Geoff Johns. With each chapter--and I don’t know how he did it -- he topped himself. Look at every issue's last page -- from the villains all rising out of the JLA’s crypts to former dead heroes being turned into Black Lanterns to other heroes being deputized by the various color corps; they were all jaw dropping. (Holey Moley moments, to put it politely). But that then went off to Ivan Reis, and like Dr. Frankenstein, he gave life to Geoff’s monstrous visions. A dark Guardian tearing his fellow Guardian’s throat. An undead Aquaman summoning horrors from the sea. Spectre towering over the DC mystics. The list goes on. Visceral, dynamic and quite simply works of art. I have not seen any other artist go the distance on an epic like this. No offense to anyone that I have worked with before on an event comic, but they will all admit to looking for some shortcuts when, in the last couple of issues it comes to one army of heroes facing off against a horde of evil. This is were the backgrounds get a bit lost. When lighting is such that more silhouettes start to appear. But not Ivan. Each double-page spread became more intricate than the next. And as we reached the homestretch, he asked for heroes he had not yet drawn on the double page spread on the last issue’s page 10-11, not to mention there’s that spread with Guy leading the colored Corps. Oh yeah, and that spectacular fold-out which Ivan had wanted to do to have the Twelve’s return really mean something. What Ivan’s done really does mean something to me. This is someone that loves comics and loves what he does. His wingmen, Oclair Albert and Joe Prado, kept up with the insanity by putting down some very powerful inks. On the side, Joe was designing Black Lanterns as quick as they were rising in the main title and the tie-ins. Sleeplessness just became the norm for all these guys. I know that despite our time difference, colorist Alex Sinclair was always up, always keeping the war light and color looking as dramatic as possible and not a Skittles commercial. My associate editor Adam Schlagman was on e-mail 24/7, making sure everything kept moving, that every colored Lantern leader had the right balloon, that all Black Lantern vision across the tie-ins was consistent. Yup, amazing efforts by all and I’m gonna miss it a lot, as I figuring you will as well as you go to the comic shop. At least. we all have the DC Direct toys to let us re-enact some of our favorite scenes (even more toys are on the way). Still... not the same... I miss BLACKEST NIGHT and hate saying goodbye to it and all the great, amazing talent that made it possible... ...So... what to do... Hmm... those heroes and villains are back from the dead. Wonder what their story is? Geoff, Ivan, Joe and Adam grab Peter Tomasi, Pat Gleason, Fernando Pasarin, Scott Clark and Ardian Saef-- let’s see what the BRIGHTEST DAY brings... Carpe Diem! For more behind the scenes stuff, don’t miss the BLACKEST NIGHT DIRECTOR’S CUT, on sale soon. Thanks Eddie! But that's not all...speaking of what's coming next, click below!